Orthopedic plate assembly for a distal radius having re-contouring features and method for using same

A method for supporting a fractured radius using an orthopedic plate assembly, the method comprising:

• contouring a first plate including a first major surface configured to attach to the radius and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, the first plate having a center line and including a body extending along the center line, a first arm transversely extending away from the center line at a first angle from the body, and a second arm transversely extending away from the body at a second angle from the body to define a triangularly shaped aperture between the first and second arms, wherein the triangularly shaped aperture extends from the first major surface to the second major surface;
• attaching the first major surface of the first plate to the radius;
• contouring a second plate separate from the first plate having a first end configured to engage the second major surface of the first arm and a second end configured to engage the second major surface of the second arm, the second plate configured to span the triangularly shaped aperture transverse to the center line when engaged with the first and second arms;
• engaging the second plate with the first plate by engaging the first end of the second plate with the first arm and the second end of the second plate with the second arm;
• and
• attaching the second plate to at least one of the first plate and the radius.

A method for supporting a fractured radius using an orthopedic plate assembly, the method comprising:

• exposing the radius;
• selecting a first plate having a Y-shape and selectively re-contouring the first plate, the first plate having a center line and including a body extending along the center line, a first arm transversely extending from an end of the body and including a first transverse surface having a first recess, and a second arm transversely extending from the end of the body and including a second transverse surface having a second recess, the first and second arms defining an aperture in the first plate;
• attaching a radius engaging transverse surface of the first plate that is opposite the first and second transverse surfaces to a first portion of the radius using a first attachment device;
• selecting a second plate and selectively re-contouring the second plate, the second plate having a first end including a third transverse surface engageable with the first recess of the first transverse surface of the first arm, and a second end opposite the first end including a fourth transverse surface engageable with the second recess of the second transverse surface of the second arm;
• engaging the second plate with the first plate at a predetermined longitudinal position within the aperture by engaging the third and fourth transverse surfaces of the second plate with the first and second recesses of the first and second transverse surfaces of the first plate, respectively, wherein after the engaging the second plate with the first plate, the first and third transverse surfaces cooperate by forming a ball and socket-type joint to constrain relative translational movement between the first plate and the second plate in at least two directions;
• and
• attaching the second plate to at least one of the first plate and a second portion of the radius.